Knitted fabric

ABSTRACT

A knitted fabric for use as a shade net, comprises a single series of 400 Denier monofilament threads M of high density polyethylene (HDPE) which are formed into pillar stitches, a second series of HDPE 350 Denier monotapes which are knitted in a zig-zag fashion to form a Sammt stitch, and a third series of HDPE 350 Denier monotapes which are added as a filler. The fabric is knitted on a warp knitting machine wherein the gaps between the latch needles are ⅛ of an inch. The monofilament threads extend in a warp direction and the second series of monotapes extend in a weft direction. The monotapes of the second series traverse four needle gaps, whereas the monotapes of the third series traverse two adjacent needles in a weft direction.

This application is a 371 of PCT/1B01/02271 Nov. 30, 2001.

FIELD OF INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to a knitted fabric, and more particularly to aknitted fabric which is suitable for use as shade net.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a knittedfabric which is produced on a warp knitting machine employing threeguide bars, the fabric comprising

a first series of monofilament threads wherein each monofilament threadis formed into pillar stitches extending in a warp direction, by a firstof the guide bars;

a second series of monotapes which are knitted in a zig-zag fashion toform a Sammt stitch extending in a weft direction relative to themonofilament threads; and

a third series of monotapes which are added to the monofilament threadsand the monotapes as a filler.

The monofilament threads may have 11½ pillar stitches per inch offabric.

The needle gaps of the warp knitting machine may be ⅛ of an inch. Themonotapes of the second series may extend across the equivalent of fourneedle gaps in a weft direction.

The monofilament threads may be of high density polyethylene ofapproximately 400 Denier.

The monotapes of the second series may be of high density polyethyleneof approximately 350 Denier.

The monotapes of the second series may have a width of approximately 1.8mm and a thickness of approximately 0,035 mm.

The monotapes of the third series may be added to the monofilamentthreads and the monotapes of the second series to traverse theequivalent of one needle gap in a weft direction to provide a filler.

The monotapes of the third series may be of high density polyethylene ofapproximately 350 Denier.

The monotapes of the third series may have width of approximately 1.8 mmand a thickness of approximately 0.035 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features of the invention are described hereinafter by way of anon-limiting example of the invention, with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a warp knitting machine of the type usedto make a fabric in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a pattern diagram illustrating the configuration of thedifferent stitches of the threads forming the knitted fabric; and

FIG. 3 is a pattern diagram which illustrates the knit configuration ofthe fabric.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a 16 gauge Raschel-type warp knitting machinecomprises a series of latch needles 10, a trick plate 12, and threeguide bars, the first guide bar carrying a series of guide needles 14.1,the second guide bar carrying a series of guide needles 14.2, and thethird guide bar carrying a series of guide needles 14.3. The latchneedles of the knitting machine are spaced ⅛ of an inch apart. Hence,the needle gaps are ⅛ of an inch. A knitted fabric 16 made on theknitting machine comprises a single series of monofilament threads Meach of which passes through the eye of a corresponding one of the guideneedles 14.1, a second series of threads in the form of monotapes T1each of which passes through the eye of a corresponding one of the guideneedles 14.2, and a third series of threads in the form of monotapes T2each of which passes through the eye of a corresponding one of the guideneedles 14.3.

The threads M are 400 Denier monofilament threads of high densitypolyethylene. The tapes T1 and T2 are each in the form of a 350 Denierhigh density polyethylene tape, having a width of 1.8 mm and a thicknessof 0.035 mm.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, each of the monofilament threads M are knittedto form a pillar stitch which gives the fabric strength in thelongitudinal or warp direction. The monofilament threads are knittedwith 11½ pillar stitches per inch of fabric. The tapes T1 are knitted ina zig-zag fashion to form a binding between adjacent pillar stitches andto provide the fabric with the required shade-giving and ultra-violet(UV) light protection properties. The tapes T1 are knitted in a closed“Sammt” stitch and traverse the equivalent of four needle gaps in a weftdirection per machine cycle. The monotapes T2 is added to themonofilament threads M and the monotapes T1 and traverse two adjacentneedles in a weft direction. The monotapes T2 fulfill a filling purposeand provide the fabric with shade protection and UV light protectionproperties. As such, the configuration of the monotapes T1 and T2, inparticular, provide the knitted fabric with its “coverage” propertiesfor shade protection and U-V light protection. As there are two guidebars knitting during the production phase, this will prevent any form ofunravelling of the knitted end product.

Due to the knit configuration of the knitted fabric, the fabric exhibitsequal elongation and tensile strength properties in both warp and weftdirections. The knit configuration thus provides a knitted fabric havinguniform properties in both warp and weft directions.

Due to the material properties and stitches used for the monotapes ofthe second and third series, the monotapes exhibit sufficient tensilestrength in the weft direction, thereby obviating the need formonofilament threads in the weft direction.

The configuration of the monotapes T1 and T2, in particular, provide theknitted fabric with excellent coverage thus enhancing the U-V lightprotection and shade covering properties of the fabric.

The “throws” of the monotapes T1 in the knitted fabric are relativelylong thereby providing a more stable knit fabric. The monofilamentthreads and the monotapes do not slide over one another. By utilisingthe Sammt construction to anchor the weft monotapes T1 with the pillarstitches of the monofilament threads, the fabric is provided withstability in both weft and warp directions.

The relatively tight knit configuration of the fabric provides thefabric with a smoother surface texture which allows for coating of thefabric with more precision thereby providing the fabric with enhancedaesthetic appeal.

The following pattern chain is used to set up the knitting machine anddefines the knit configuration:

Bar 1 Bar 2 Bar 3 2 6 0 0 8 0 — — — 0 2 4 2 0 4 = = =

What is claimed is:
 1. A knitted fabric which is produced on a warpknitting machine employing three guide bars, the fabric comprising: afirst series of monofilament threads wherein each monofilament thread isformed into pillar stitches extending in a warp direction, by a first ofthe guide bars; a second series of monotapes which are knitted in azig-zag fashion to form a Sammt stitch extending in a weft directionrelative to the monofilament threads; and a third series of monotapeswhich are added to the monofilament threads and the monotapes as afiller.
 2. A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein themonofilament threads are of high density polyethylene of approximately400 Denier.
 3. A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 2, wherein theneedle gaps of the warp knitting machine are ⅛ of an inch.
 4. A knittedfabric as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monotapes of the second seriesextend across the equivalent of four needle gaps in a weft direction. 5.A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monotapes of thesecond series are of high density polyethylene of 350 Denier.
 6. Aknitted fabric as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monotapes of thesecond series have a width of approximately 1.8 mm and a thickness ofapproximately 0.035 mm.
 7. A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 1,wherein the monotapes of the third series are added to the monofilamentthreads and the monotapes of the second series to traverse theequivalent of one needle gap in a weft direction, to form a filler.
 8. Aknitted fabric as claimed in claim 7, wherein the monotapes of the thirdseries are of high density polyethylene of approximately 350 Denier. 9.A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 7, wherein the monotapes of thethird series have a width of approximately 1.8 mm and a thickness ofapproximately 0.035 mm.
 10. A knitted fabric as claimed in claim 1,wherein the monofilament threads have 11½ pillar stitches per inch offabric.